Now, a private domain registration is obvious. But is it like... guaranteed to do what I mentioned above? Or are there still ways around it? Someone savy enough could figure it out? It would be a fairly tech savy audience reading this blog, so if anyone would be able to do it, they would.
My other question is, if a private registration isn't going to be as private as I need it to be, what else can I do to accomplish what I'm looking to do?
Thanks in advance for any help.
When I say "simple", of course I really mean "inevitable".
But in the meantime, if you actively use a computer connected to the net, you can be tracked, if anyone cares.
The best technique for anonymity is to be someone nobody really cares about. The second best is to hire a lawyer as an agent/front man, and have him do all the actual people-interfacing work. These techniques aren't mutually exclusive.
I don't really see why you're being secretive with all this domain mumbo jumbo.
Do what I do, register it as a business in your state, you'll have to go through LLC licensing, doesn't cost much depending on your area, this is for US only. I'm not sure what the laws are for Canoodle (Canada) and the UK/Europe. Once you do that, pay for your domains via PayPal. I know DynaDot and GoDaddy accept PayPal, get their anonymous package. I mean honestly I can't see why you would go to such extremes, but it comes down more to wording than CSS. CSS is so broad and so not related to this I'm not sure why it was mentioned... :-/
[edited by: SwitchFX at 7:30 pm (utc) on May 4, 2009]
Forgive me for assuming....but this entire thread smells of something "fishy" going on by the OP.
He probably just doesn't want his wife to find out he's wasting his time on a blog about the new Star Trek movie.
It really isn't that easy to contact a registrar and get the info. You need a legitimate reason and the process takes a while, they also notify the domain owner about it and ask if something has caused this.
So I think what you're saying is that if someone wants to know who the owner of a domain is they just can't call the registrar and say for some important reason I have to know who owns that domain?
If someone wants to know, the registrar would then contact the domain owner and tell them that someone wants to know who owns it and then they would see what the reason is and see how to proceed?
CSS is so broad and so not related to this I'm not sure why it was mentioned
Similarities in the CSS is one place where a determined investigator might spot relationships between sites.
[edited by: CWebguy at 2:48 am (utc) on May 5, 2009]
Once all these steps are complete, then get yourself hypnotized to forget that you ever had anything to do with the site, since you are still going to be the biggest security leak involved.
He probably just doesn't want his wife to find out he's wasting his time on a blog about the new Star Trek movie.
ROFL!
So I think what you're saying is that if someone wants to know who the owner of a domain is they just can't call the registrar and say for some important reason I have to know who owns that domain?If someone wants to know, the registrar would then contact the domain owner and tell them that someone wants to know who owns it and then they would see what the reason is and see how to proceed?
Yes sir. I've had it happen to me before, I'm registered with DynaDot. Some punk thought it would be cool to find out who I actually was. I run my forum's registration to my LLC, but this was a site I sold off during the summer. I used a private registration that cloaked my LLC, DynaDot contacted me and notified me someone had asked them to reveal my info. They then asked me if I had done anything to provoke such prodding, I told them no, that it was probably some idiot trying to invade my privacy, done deal. I've put my trust in Dynadot and I own quite a few domains with them.
Honestly, it works the same way with anything I own. I don't give out my users' info without a police warrant or a subpoena. I don't care if you're another forum administrator, I follow my privacy policy to the letter. Want something? Get a public official to do it. I protect whoever uses my site, that's my main concern really.
Similarities in the CSS is one place where a determined investigator might spot relationships between sites.
You mean messages? I don't think stylesheets are able to carry notes, the xhtml markup can of course. :) However, you have to realize there are so many clone designs out there that to narrow it down is like finding the color to some rare automobile. Ok, bad example but you know where I'm getting at, right?
[edited by: SwitchFX at 5:00 am (utc) on May 5, 2009]
What was strange is that the domain registrar also had a PO box in the same airport.
savy
consider your writing style, misspellings, and any local sayings that are identifiable ;o)
This protects lawyers and anyone else doing asset liablity studies to find out if you hold any assets.
I once took a post-judgment asset discovery deposition where the "broke" business genius showed up wearing his Rolex and various items of jewelry.
Me: "I see you're wearing a Rolex. I assume, like everything else in your life, you don't own the watch you are wearing on your wrist?"
Genius: "No, it's owned by . . . "
Photographed him and his stuff. Took down serial numbers.
Guess what? The judge didn't believe the part about the watch being owned by some other person/entity.
My point? If you are going to engage in this excercise as a means or method of isolating yourself, hiding from claims, asset protection, etc. . . . well . . . there's always someone who enjoys solving mysteries (Where did the money go?) and puzzles (How do these pieces fit together and where's the missing piece?) . .
YMMV, up to a certain point . . :P
register the domain in there name. if you don't have freinds you can trust with this kind of thing. in my book you don't have best freinds. so anyway
Man, I'm 180 degrees (opposite) to you on this.
The last thing I'd do, if I had "concerns" about anything I was planning, would be to potentially entangle people I call "friend" in my potential mess. I think they'd see things the same way, like: "You want me to be the target? The fall guy? You want to put a target on MY back? You gotta be kidding!"
Also, do you actually think that a law firm couldn't put the squeeze on the friend in name - the co-conspirator?
Your "friend" could soon, and likely rightfully so, become your worst nightmare - giving up information that would not otherwise be easily accessible - to protect their own interests.
There are lawful ways of dealing with risk and then there are off the wall ways. Chances are the lawful ways will be less costly in the end and "being legal" will allow you to both enjoy your days and sleep better at night.
If the truth is that you don't have the relatively few bucks it would take to cover your arse with (legal) paper - CYAWP - then the odds are that you also don't "have the game" (money, savvy, etc.) to 1) make things work, and, 2) deal with the consequences if they don't.
YMMV, but really, my "free advice" is to CYAWP: Talk to a business lawyer, talk to an accountant, decide whether, where and how to incorporate (LLC? Sub-C, C, offshore, etc.) , buy insurance, etc.
[edited by: Webwork at 6:55 pm (utc) on May 7, 2009]
Get plastic surgery, a sex change and file the prints off your fingertips.
you forgot about dental records. :p
...I registered them privately so as not to provoke some whacko who does not agree with me to seek me out and murder me or something.Has anyone found this out for sure?
....waiting
...still waiting
Oh, I guess they found out for sure (whacked by a whacko).
Seriously, consult a lawyer - preferably one with experience in identity protection.
But get a lawyer, too. They love this kind of thing.
